Plans to demolish the Aetas Hotel have been pushed ahead by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) who are seeking a budget of THB200 million to pay for the work, reports localB media. The 25-storey hotel was deemed to be illegal 3 years ago, but work on the demolition has been delayed while the building owners fought the case.
The BMA’s Public Works Department are creating an estimate for the demolition costs and the budget for the project will be forwarded to the Bangkok governor’s office for approval when ready, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang told the Bangkok Post. In the meantime, local authorities put up a notice banning use of the building.
Aetas Hotel is located on Soi Ruamrudee in Pathumwan and stands 25-stories. In 2014, the property was ordered to be demolished by the Supreme Administrative Court but further court cases have delayed this. The Bangkok Governor and the Chief of Pathumwan district are now moving ahead with the demolition and will oversee the project.
The owner of the building declined to conduct the demolishing forcing the city to do it. City Hall has already said they will sue the owners in order to get the THB200 million that the demolition will cost back. Work on the project is expected to start in February of next year and the BMA will be overseeing it to ensure residents comply with the notice.
A daily fine for those refusing to vacate to the building has been put into effect and those who stay could face penalties of up to THB30,000 should they violate the government notice. The building owners are continuing to appeal the court’s decision but the BMA has decided to proceed with the demolition. The hotel owners claim to have new evidence that will help it get the demolition decision overturned and will keep paying the BMA fines until the case is heard.
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